Hamilton benefits from city safe spot

THE NSW government will spend $175,000 on building “safe spaces” in Newcastle’s city centre.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said on Wednesday the money would go to funding seven new night time “safe spaces” that will seek to improve troubled spots in the city.

“There will be new lighting, landscaping, seating and signage to improve the appearance of these precincts and reduce opportunity for vandalism and other criminal and anti-social behaviour,” Mr MacDonald said.

Part of the funding will go toward Hamilton Station Park, and Hamilton Chamber of Commerce president Nathan Errington said it would help improve the area’s nightlife.

“The funding will … help people feel safe by greatly improving the existing amenities and reducing the opportunity for vandalism and other criminal and anti-social behaviour,” he said.

Other “safe spaces” will be created in the East End, Civic, Darby Street, The Junction, West End, and Honeysuckle.